Mary the Mother of Jesus

Her name, the Feminine form of “Solomon,” means “Peace.” (4., pg. 201.)

She was the wife of Zebedee, a prosperous fisherman on Sea of Galilee. The only glimpse we have of him is in his boat mending the nets when Jesus came and called his two sons to follow him. There was no action on Zebedee’s part to detain them. (1., pg. 285.)

Zebedee – The father of the apostles James and John (Mark 1:19-20) by Salome (Mark 15:40; Matt. 27:56). Zebedee and his sons were associated with Simon and Andrew in a fishing business at Capernaum (Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:10). The fact that he had servants (Mark 1:20) and that his wife seems to have contributed toward Jesus’ support (Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:2-3) makes it appear that he was a man of some means. The gospels offer no evidence that he actively followed Jesus, though he seems not to have hindered the activity of the wife and the sons (2., pg. 940.)

Her character: Salome, one of the saintly women who followed and ministered to Jesus, appears to have been one of His disciples from the outset of His ministry. She had no doubt as to His Messiahship. (1., pg. 285)

A faithful disciple – She remained a faithful disciple of Jesus’ up to the very end. She was present at the crucifixion, when her sons had withdrawn. She was also among the women who went to the tomb and found Jesus had risen from the dead. (1., pg.285-286.)

Salome, Aunt of Jesus – (John 19:25) Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene (NIV – John 19:25).Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. (Ft.nt. Mark 15:40 – Mary Magdalene. From Lk. 8:2 we learn that Jesus had driven seven demons out of her. Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses. See v. 47; 16:1, Salome, Probably the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John (See Mt.27:56.) In John 19:25 “his mother’s sister” probably is to be distinguished from “Mary the wife of Clopas,” and Salome may be meant. This would make Salome and Zebedee aunt and uncle, and James and John cousins of Jesus. (2., pg. 167)

Salome – Mother of James – James left his father Zebedee and the family fishing business to follow Jesus with other Apostles. Along with his brother John and their, partner Peter, James became one of Jesus’ favored followers. The ambitious, short-tempered James was the church’s first martyr, he was executed at the hands of Herod Agrippa I, 15 years after Jesus died.

Salome – Mother of John, the Apostle. Matt 4:21-22 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother, John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called to them, (v22) and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Salome – She, misunderstood the meaning of the Kingdom of God. As a very ambitious mother, she asked for her sons to be placed at His right and left hand, when the earthly kingdom she expected came into being, Jesus explained that these positions weren’t His to give. He also questioned her as to whether she and her sons would be able to endure the suffering that would be required. In effect, Jesus asked if her sons were prepared to drink the cup of martyrdom, which in the end, they did. James was the first apostle to be martyred, and John, the last. The mother sought instant positions for her sons. But, by losing their lives for Christ’s sake, they gained greater honor in heaven. (1., pg. 286)

Sources:

Charles, Sylvia, Women in the Bible, 1988, Virgil Hensley Publishing.

The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume R-Z,1962, Abingdon Press.

Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Luke 1:5 [ The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold ] In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

Luke 1:6 (refers to)

Elizabeth was a woman the bible calls “upright in the site of God.” Like very few others, male or female, she is praised for observing the Lord’s commandments and regulations without blame. (Footnote) They were not sinless, but were faithful and sincere in keeping God’s commandments.

Luke 1:7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.

Zechariah was Elizabeth’s husband. He served in a priestly division burning incense in the Temple. He had been chosen by God to serve in this privileged position.

Luke 1:18

Zechariah questioned the angel saying, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in her years.” Because Zechariah questioned the angel, he was silenced, and not allowed to speak until the birth of his son.

Luke 1:24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

Luke 1:26 [The Birth of Jesus Foretold] In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.

Luke 1:36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.

Luke 1:39 [Mary Visits Elizabeth] At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,

Luke 1:40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Luke 1:57 [ The Birth of John the Baptist ] When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.

Two themes that came to mind after reading the information above: “Faith Rewarded” and The Consequences of Disobedience.

There seems to be a few different Mary’s in the Bible, each one has a special reason for being mentioned. Just to help you keep them straight here is a little knowledge about each one.

Mary: Mother of Jesus. She is the virgin bride that gave birth to our Savior Jesus Christ. With Jesus at the temple, She was at the wedding in Cana She was at the cross and burial of Jesus. And with the disciples at Ascension. Mt 1:16-25 Mt 2:11, Lk 1:32-40, Ac 1:14, Jn 2:1-5, Jn 19:25-27

Mary: Mary of Bethany. She is the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She poured pure Nard/Oil on Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair and tears. Lk 10:38-42, John 11:1-12:8, Mt 26:7, Mk 14:3-9.

Mary Magdelene (Mary of Magdala): She was not a prostitute or sinful woman, she had 7 demons inside of her that Jesus cast out, when He called her by name. She was also a great supporter of Jesus’ ministry. She was at the cross, burial and empty tomb. She was one of the first to see Jesus alive. Mt 27:56-61, Mt 28:1-10,Lk 8:1-3, Lk 8:2, Jn 19:25-27

Mary Mother of James & Joseph (Joses): She was at the cross and empty tomb. She was also a great supporter of Jesus ministry. Mk 15:40-41, Lk 8:3.

Mary: Mother of John (Mark): she owned the inn that Jesus used for the last supper. Acts 12:12

Mary Wife of Clopas: Was at the cross with the other woman. Jn 19:25-27

Mary: who worked very hard for you. Unknown who she is, was introduced by Paul. Ro 16:6

The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, K-Q, In Four Volumes, Abingdon Press, 1962. (page 288-290)

Our Lesson on Mary Magdalene comes from Matthew 27:56, 61; 28:1, Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1-19; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1-18 of our main text Women of the Bible by Jean E Syswerda. Here are some important points. These points may not directly answer the questions on pages 211-212.

Mary Magdelene
Her name means “Bitterness”
Ten points of information:
1. Mistakenly characterized as a prostitute.
2. She was possessed by seven demons. She probably suffered from a serious mental or physical illness from which Jesus delivered her.
3. She went to the tomb where Jesus was buried and saw that the stone had been rolled away, at the entrance. She explained to the two angels that she saw that the body of her Lord had been taken away and that she did not know where to find him. She was the first to see the Resurrected Jesus Christ.
4. She cried out in Aramaic “Rabboni” (which means teacher) when she recognized who Jesus was.
5. She was one of several women who took the time out to play a role in the ministry of Jesus. She traveled with Jesus and the twelve disciples. She cared for their needs during the time that they were not earning a living.
6. The women that cared for Jesus and his disciples used their own financial resources to support Jesus and his disciples. They either had no children or their children were grown.
7. They spent their time purchasing food; preparing it; and serving it; while Jesus was teaching and healing.
8. Perhaps they found homes for Jesus and his disciples to stay in during their travels.
9. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
10. She announced to the disciples that she had seen the Lord. She informed them that he told her to tell them that he was ascending to his Father and our Father, to his God and our God.

Scriptures:Matthew 27:56 – Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.Matthew 27:61 –Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.Matthew 28:1 – After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.Mark 15:40 –Some women were watching from a distance, Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.Mark 15:47–Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.Mark 16:1 – When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.Luke 8:2 – And also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;Luke 24:10 –It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.John 19:25 –Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.John 20:1 – 18 – Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. (2) So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (3) So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. (4) Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (5) He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. (6) Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, (7) as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.(8) Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (9) (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) (10) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. (11) Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb (12) and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. (13) They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” (14) At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. (15) He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it youare looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). (17) Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my Brothers and tell them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (18) Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news. “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

From our lesson of Anna, Luke 2:22-38, Here are some important points. The points do not directly answer the questions on pages 162-165 of the text, but may help you in our discussion of the Saturday Bible Study 12/06/2014.

1. Her name means “Favor” or “Grace”. (3, pg. 162)

2. She was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. (Luke 2:36)

3. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. (Luke 2: 37-38).

4. Though she could not echo the prayer of Jewish men, who praised God for creating them neither Gentiles nor women, she could be grateful for the privilege of ascending beyond the Court of the Gentiles to the Women’s Court, where she would be that much closer to the Most Holy Place. Having done so, she bowed her head, rocking back and forth to the rhythm of her prayers (Psalm 84:1-3). (2, pg. 302).

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young–

a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

5. Suddenly a voice interrupted her recitation of the familiar psalm. Old Simeon she saw, was holding a baby to his breast, pronouncing words that thrilled her soul: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”(Luke 2:29-32) ( 2, pg. 302)

6. Like her, Simeon had lived for nothing but Israel’s consolation. Though he had not seen, yet he had believed. Anna watched as the child’s parents hung on the old man’s words. Then he handed the infant back to his mother, this time speaking more softly: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”(Luke 2:34-35) (2, pg. 302)

7. The old woman Anna had probably spent upwards of sixty years in the temple. In fact, she never left it, ” but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37). The evidence of her devotion is not just in the fact that she spent all those years in prayer, but that she recognized the Christ. (He was, after all, only six weeks old.) Yet even though Anna had relinquished a normal lifestyle, spent hours of every day in prayer, and gone without food as a sign of devotion, she was still not allowed access to the actual temple. Despite being relegated to the outer court for women, however, she never let that restriction squeeze her heart or strangle her love for God.(2, pg. 304)

8. Now she too felt like a sparrow soaring freely in the house of God. It no longer mattered that she was forbidden entry into the innermost courts of the temple. God himself was breaking down the dividing walls between Jew and Gentile, male and female, revealing himself to all who hungered for his presence. That day a child had transformed the Women’s Court into the holiest place of all. (2, pg. 303)

9. Scripture doesn’t tell us whether Anna ever actually wished she were allowed to enter the innermost courts of the temple in Jerusalem. But her longing for God is obvious. Clearly, she was a woman with great spiritual appetite, who abandoned her life to God and was rewarded by meeting Jesus and his parents just forty days after his birth, during the presentation in the temple. (2, pg. 303)

10. The customs of her time may have restricted the physical location of Anna’s worship, but no earthly regulation could bind her actual worship or devotion. Be an Anna! Don’t let anything limit your devotion to God! No earthly rules or restrictions. No past mistakes or sins. No life situations that you can’t overcome. Let nothing get in the way of worshiping your God and recognizing your Savior. (2, pg. 304)

1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995. (All Scriptures)

2. Women of the Bible, One Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 2007.

2. It is impossible to write a historical sketch of Mary’s life, so inadequate are the data in the gospels and so unreliable are the traditions of the church. Such data as we have are contained in stories whose purpose is not historical narration but theological affirmation: they declare that God has come to man in a child born of a virgin, that he may redeem them from sin and death and lead them into his blessed kingdom. Mary is depicted as the instrument of God’s gracious purpose (the ” handmaid of the Lord.” Luke 1:38.) (1, pg. 290)

3. Family Background. We know very little concerning Mary’s background. She was a devout Jewess, apparently living in Nazareth at the time when she conceived. Since both genealogies (Matt. 1:2-16; Luke 3:23-28) are Joseph’s, we do not know whether she belonged to the Davidic line, though the angel’s words in Luke 1:32 would at least imply that the early church believed that she was so descended. (1, pg. 290)

4. Virginal Conception. At the time when she conceived, she was betrothed to Joseph, who is said to have been “of the house of David” (Luke 1:27 and the genealogies ). He is described in Matthew (1:18 -25) as a God-fearing, law-abiding man, of considerable nature. Since betrothal in Judaism was tantamount to marriage, except for residence in the bridegroom’s home. (same pg. 290) Mary’s pregnancy was at first a shock to Joseph. How could this condition have occurred except by an adulterous act? The stories in both Matthew and Luke explain the pregnancy as due to the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18, 20; Luke 1:35), the purpose of God being to raise up for His people a divine Savior (“Emanuel” Matthew 1:23); “the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32), who ” will reign over the house of Jacob for ever (Luke 1:33). Joseph’s fears were allayed by the assurances of an angel, and he is said to have proceeded with his plans with respect to Mary. (1, pg. 290)

5. The Birth of Jesus Foretold:

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. (Luke 1:26-30)

6. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32-33)

7. And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. ( Luke 1: 46-49)

8. The Visit of the Magi

After they heard the king, and his disciples, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped 0ver the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with the gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:9-10)

9. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw the mother there and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27)

10. By the time Mary opened her eyes opened her eyes, the setting sun had turned the city into a golden land. She smiled, wiping the tears from her wrinkled face. How true the angel’s words had been. No woman from Eve onward had ever been blessed as she, the mother of the Messiah had been. Yes, the past was alive inside her, but it was the future that filled her with joy. Soon she would see her son again and this time it would be his hands that would wipe away the last of her tears. (3, page 295)

1. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume Three K-Q, In Four Volumes, Abingdon Press, New York 1962.

2. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995. (All Scriptures)

3. Women of the Bible, One Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 2007.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is our sixteenth study in our series from Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups by Jean E Syswerda. The study of Mary, The mother of Jesus is found on page 158. The Bible Study will meet 4:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you have not received your books for the study, please see Glenda. Remember that all materials are free as they are gifts to you from students participating in Homewords Small Group Bible Study Ministry. For information contact Glenda at 727--542-4683.